This course is a writing intensive, human diversity course,
designed to explore a variety of cultures in Latin American
countries. The goal is to examine Hispanic heritage
diversity and the pluralistic culture of Latin America,
while dispelling stereotypes.

Goals of unit.

To introduce the community college students to the Japanese
influences of art, architecture, music, literature,
education, religion and film to Latin America

To explore Japanese Diaspora to Latin America

To familiarize students with basic concepts of art and
literature

To demonstrate ways to interpret art and music through an
examination of the subject, context, form and style of each
piece

To introduce students to Japanese dances and festivals
celebrated in Latin America

To enhance student knowledge of the Japanese literary forms
of Noh, Kabuki and Renga

To develop skills in writing analytical essays and research
papers in the humanities.

Introduction to material; background knowledge a faculty
member might need to know to understand what comes
next. Keep this to a short paragraph.

The instructor must be familiar with Japanese art and
humanities and their assimilation and influence in Latin
America. A bibliography and list of World Wide Web links for
this background material are included in section 6 and at
the end of this document.

Readings that will be given to the student, books or
excerpts. If these are short, and relatively hard to find,
include in your module. Recommended but not required reading
for students if any. (Visual/audio-visual material can
augment or replace readings here.)

Speakers through the International Relations Council will
present on cultural assimilation.

Film: Gaijin: A Brazilian Odessey

Writing assignments, examinations questions (possibly in
form to use to hand out to students).

A. PowerPoint Presentation:

· Japanese Diaspora to South America

· “Virtual field trip” to web sites listed on hand-outs and
in PowerPoint presentation

B. Renga:

· Analyse Renga work from Octavio Paz: “Renga, A Chain of
Poems

C. Essay / Research Paper Topics

· The student may choose a cultural aspect of Japanese
influence in Latin America. Paper:

Culture of a County: Compare and Contrast research
paper. The students will be provided a list of artists,
music/instruments, religions, festivals, and dances. From
this list, they will be required to compare/contrast 2 in
each category, i.e. compare/contrast 2 artist, 2 festivals,
etc. using information such as the country of origin,
history (indigenous/African/Asian influence), major works,
evolution, etc. 5- 6 pages; double space, MLA citations.

Short bibliography for instructors interested in this topic;
works you used.

In addition to the Internet links specified above (section
6), the following may be useful in researching the Japanese
influence in Latin America:

Newspaper Articles

(The following are articles regarding the Life of Paulo
Mitsuo Takahashi)

Shimbun, Asahi “THIS IS THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF A SERIES
CENTERING ON THE BODY.” Copyright 2002 Financial Times
Information, June 15, 2002